The Bulgarian Industrial Chamber (BIA) warns that several key sectors of the economy are facing an increasingly severe shortage of workers, alongside a clear and persistent trend of workforce aging across both industries and regions.
The findings are based on 11 sectoral and regional labor market analyses carried out under the “Together for Sustainable Employment” project, financed through the Human Resources Development Program and implemented in cooperation with employer organizations. The research covers the districts of Burgas, Vratsa, Dobrich, Smolyan, and Shumen, as well as industries including metallurgy, woodworking, furniture manufacturing, plastics production, fruit and vegetable processing, and restaurants.
Across most of these sectors, the central problem identified is the difficulty in replacing older employees as they leave the labor force. The imbalance is especially visible in technical professions such as crane operators, welders, and industrial equipment mechanics, where younger workers are significantly outnumbered by those nearing retirement age.
A particularly stark example is the role of “fireman” in the food industry, where data show a ratio of 100 workers over the age of 55 to only three younger employees, placing the occupation among those at highest risk of severe staffing shortages.
